Steve Spurrier is doing what he loves best — taking downtrodden college football programs and making them nationally relevant. He did it at Duke and a Florida and now he’s doing it at South Carolina. But it is this last stop where Spurrier has truly confounded the experts.

The SEC is the nation’s toughest league and South Carolina had a tradition to forget. They had won one league title — the ACC in 1969 — and had a losing record (500-507-44) before Spurrier arrived in 2005.

After crushing Georgia 35-7 last week, the Gamecocks are in position to win the SEC and possibly playing for a national title.

“It’s amazing,’’ ESPN college football analyst Jessie Palmer, who played for Spurrier at Florida, told The Post. “When we got our schedule, we circled Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State.’’

“South Carolina, we didn’t even pay attention to. We played them late in the season and it was a game we expected to win.’’

If South Carolina can pull off a monster upset at LSU (8 p.m.; ESPN) Saturday, the Gamecocks will head to The Swamp, a return for Spurrier to the place he won a Heisman Trophy as a quarterback.

It is how Spurrier has changed his views on what a quarterback should be that always has stunned the experts. He always had been a staunch proponent of the pocket quarterback, the keen-minded, laser-throwing passer that would shred defenses.

But he realized the game has changed and he saw that in Connor Shaw he had a player that could hurt defenses with his running ability more than his passing skills.

Spurrier implemented the zone read last season and Shaw has emerged as dual-threat demon. His 184 QB rating would be second in the nation if he had attempted more throws.

“Give Steve Spurrier a lot credit putting his ego aside and coming up with a formula that gives his team the best chance to win,’’ Palmer said.

Done. In addition to Shaw, Spurrier has a defense that is as deep and physical as any in the country. Running back Marcus Lattimore is almost 100 percent back from knee surgery.

Meanwhile, LSU is coming off a 14-6 loss at Florida. Combine that with the 21-0 loss it suffered to Alabama in the BCS National Championship, and it’s obvious the Tigers have lost their way offensively.

LSU hasn’t lost three SEC games in one season since 2009, but South Carolina is about to give the Tigers their second in two weeks. South Carolina +2 ¹/₂ over LSU.

Cardinals have had trouble hanging on to the lead and the 11 a.m. kickoff — anyone up? — makes us nervous. But Panthers struggle so mightily on offense it’s, well, Pitt-iful.

Texas (+3) over Oklahoma (in Dallas)

What has become of the once mighty, physical Sooners? You look at that defense and no player jumps off the screen.

Syracuse (+7) over RUTGERS

It’s the closest thing the metro area has to an FBS rivalry. Knights probably get by Orange and remain undefeated.

Alabama (-21 ½) over MISSOURI

OMG, Nick Saban has had two weeks to prepare and to lambast his players for their less than stellar win over Ole Miss. Missouri just lost to Vanderbilt, which is in the same conference as Alabama but not in the same league.

West Va. (-3 ½) over TEXAS TECH

Red Raiders are No. 1 in pass defense. Enjoy it while it lasts. Geno Smith has thrown 24 touchdown passes and no picks. Parlay the Mountaineers with the over (77¹/₂).

BYU (-6) over Oregon State

Both teams have lost their starting quarterback, though BYU has an experienced replacement in Riley Nelson. Oregon State starting quarterback Sean Mannion (knee) is out indefinitely which means the Beavers will have to run more. Oops. BYU is No.1 in rush defense

MICHIGAN (-23 ½) over Illinois

Illinois has lost four FBS games by an average of 22 points. It has not won a road game. This is football karma: Shame on Illinois for parachuting into Penn State to recruit players after the sanctions were announced.

NOTRE DAME (-7 ½) over Stanford

Josh Nunes is probably going to develop into a very good quarterback but until then the Cardinal has to be able to run the football. The Irish are allowing 3.5 yards per carry. LB Manti Te’o makes his Heisman case.

FLA. ST (-27 ½)) over Boston College

They just named a new athletic director at Boston College to replace Gene DeFilippo, who took the Eagles to the ACC. Perhaps Brad Bates will reconsider that move after witnessing another ACC beat-down.

VANDERBILT (+8) over Florida

Great win by Florida last week over LSU. Now the dreaded hangover effectagainst a solid, well-coached team playing at home.

Usc (-12) over WASHINGTON

Usually we would love the home dogs, but the Trojans have had extra time to rest up since their last Thursday night win at Utah. Washington players complaining about a quacking sound in their heads, the remnant of 52-21 loss at Oregon.

MISS STATE (-3) over Tennessee

Dan Mullen quietly has developed a tough, no-nonsense team. Derek Dooley has loudly developed a line of horrific pants.